Strolling the Malecon - Ajijic JAL, Mexico

RATING: ♦♦♦♦♦

The malecon on Lake Chapala in Ajijic is more than just a walkway along the waterfront. Almost a mile long, it is a park with playgrounds and gardens and benches along the lake where you can sit and relax. There’s a basketball court and exercise area. A focal point is the large brightly painted skateboard park.

The weekday mornings were a great time to walk, before it would get too sunny and hot. This would be the time to see fishermen and people playing with their dog (and sometimes their horse) in the lake.

The weekends were crowded as the main street leading to the malecon is blocked off to vehicle traffic, and vendors set up tables from which to sell food, artwork, and their wares, including jewelry, hats, toys for the kids, and brightly colored tablecloths and bedspreads. Both locals and out-of-town visitors come to picnic and shop and play.

On Monday morning, the malecon would be quiet again, a great place to enjoy the mountain and lake views of Ajijic.

March for Our Lives - The Villages FL

RATING: ♦♦♦♦♦

The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland FL on Valentine’s Day sparked outrage throughout the country, including in The Villages. We learned that a local march in support of the national march in Washington, DC was being held at Lake Sumter Landing, and decided to join in.

Frankly, we were surprised, but proud, to see such a large crowd marching for tighter gun controls in The Villages, which is a Republican stronghold. The rally was organized by students from The Villages Charter School with other students and their supporters from The Villages and the surrounding area. It was one of hundreds of marches throughout the country on that day in support of sensible gun reform laws.

Organizers and police expected a hundred people to attend, but were caught off guard when many hundreds, perhaps over a thousand, showed. The initial plan was to march around the inner square, but the size of the crowd prompted leaders to march throughout the entire shopping and commercial area. Additional police officers needed to be called in to help control the traffic flow. There were a few counter protesters, but all in all, it was a peaceful event.

Even though it as a small gesture, we felt we did a good thing by marching. It is clear to us that the solution to gun violence, especially mass shootings, is not more guns. The Second Amendment does not, and should not, mean all Americans have the right to bear arms without restriction. We believe the NRA has lost all credibility on this matter. We have committed ourselves to become aware of political candidates who accept NRA money, and vote accordingly. This is no longer a political issue, it is a moral one. “Enough is enough.”

March for Our Lives – The Villages FL

Early Mardi Gras - The Villages FL

RATING: ♦♦♦♦♦

You get a little bit of everything in the Villages. This week we got Mardi Gras a week early. The festivities were held at the Spanish Springs village square, and it was the most crowded event we’ve ever been to in the Villages.

When we got there we almost gave up because we had a hard time finding a parking spot. But we eventually found one on a side street about half a mile away. Glad we didn’t give up. We had a great time.

We were greeted by the Perseverance Brass Band, who were first rate. Further in toward the square was a Cajun band that was also quite good. Between sets, we were entertained by the Village Twirlers, a larger group of women cheerleaders and majorettes who were closer to age 80 than 18.

You gotta love it. 

Early Mardi Gras – The Villages FL